| Chelydra | |
|---|---|
| Chelydra serpentina | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Family: | Chelydridae |
| Genus: | Chelydra Schweigger, 1812[1] |
| Type species | |
| Chelydra serpentina Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Species | |
Chelydra is one of the twoextantgenera of thesnapping turtle family,Chelydridae, the other beingMacrochelys, the much largeralligator snapping turtle.[1] The snapping turtles are native to the Americas, withChelydra having threespecies, one inNorth America and two inCentral America, one of which is also found in northwesternSouth America.
The genusChelydra has the following species:[1][2]

The three extantChelydra species were once all considered to be several subspecies ofChelydra serpentina, along with a fourth subspecies in Florida,Chelydra serpentina osceola.[3]C. s. osceola is now considered to be synonymous withC. serpentina.[1]